Vertebral body replacement and cervical plate construction

Abstract

A vertebral body replacement (VBR) and cervical plate apparatus for securing the VBR in a desired position in a space between superior and inferior vertebral bodies. The VBR has a predrilled opening in a center portion of its anterior face that is constructed to receive therein a first attachment device. The cervical plate has holes in the upper and lower portions thereof that are constructed to receive second attachment devices for securing the cervical plate to the superior and inferior vertebral bodies in a desired position. The cervical plate has an elongated slot in a central portion thereof that is constructed to receive therethrough in movable relation the first attachment device which is receivable in the predrilled opening in the VBR for securing the cervical plate thereto.

1 . Vertebral body replacement and cervical plate apparatus for securing a vertebral body replacement in a desired position in a space between superior and inferior vertebral bodies,
 the vertebral body replacement having a predrilled opening in a center portion of its anterior face that is constructed to receive therein a first attachment device; and   a cervical plate having holes in upper and lower portions thereof that are constructed to receive second attachment devices for securing the cervical plate to the superior and inferior vertebral bodies in a desired position, the cervical plate having an elongated slot in a central portion thereof that extends between the upper and lower portions thereof, the slot being constructed to receive therethrough in movable relation the first attachment device which is receivable in the predrilled opening in the vertebral body replacement for securing the cervical plate thereto.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of claim I wherein the predrilled opening in the vertebral body replacement has interior threads, and the first attachment device is a screw having external threads that mate with the interior threads of the vertebral body replacement. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the second attachment devices are bone screws. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the cervical plate is rectangular in shape and the holes are located near each corner of the cervical plate. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of claim I wherein the slot in the cervical plate is approximately 1 cm. to 2 cm. in length. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the vertebral body replacement has a predetermined shape for fitting in the space between the superior and inferior vertebral bodies.